'A fifth-round pick of the Flames in 1996, Lydman has netted 93 points (19 goals, 74 assists) in 289 games over four seasons with Calgary. He has also posted three straight seasons of 20 or more points.'

'Lydman, the 6-1, 202 lb.-native of Lahti, Finland, appeared in 67 games for Calgary in the 2003-04 season, collecting 20 points (4+16) in 67 games. Fourteen of his 20 points (2+12) came on the power play. Lydman represented Finland in the 2004 World Cup, finishing third on the team in scoring with three points (0+3) in six games.'

'“I am thrilled that we will be returning to Rochester again this season,” said Larry Quinn, Sabres’ Managing Partner. “By giving our fans in Rochester this exciting opportunity to attend a live NHL game in their hometown, it further demonstrates our commitment to making the Buffalo Sabres a regional team.”'

'Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced today that the team has acquired defenseman Toni Lydman from the Calgary Flames in exchange for Buffalo third-round selection in the 2006 NHL entry Draft.'

‘Peters did not break any laws or NHL rules at the time and has stopped using the performance enhancer since the Food and Drug Administration banned its sale in April 2004, his agent, Steve Bartlett, said Thursday. “It’s obviously something that, looking back on it, he wishes in some ways he hadn’t,” Bartlett told The Associated Press. “And he’s been very clear that knowing what he knows today, he wouldn’t use it again.”’

'"You use what's at your disposal," Andrew Peters said. "No one said you can't, so why not? We didn't do anything illegal. It was a supplement. We weren't hiding anything. I had nothing to hide. My girlfriend at the time knew. My parents knew."'

'If McKee doesn't reach terms on an extension by next Thursday, he will accept the Sabres' one-year qualifying offer for about $1.6 million and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The defenseman is Buffalo's longest-tenured player. "The ball is in their court," McKee said Wednesday. "We're still waiting to hear back from them."'

‘Mancari, who has not been signed by the Sabres, wants to show Buffalo brass that he can earn a spot with the team’s AHL affiliate in Rochester. “The plan is to go there and then we’ll wait and see what happens,” said Mancari from his parents’ home in London, Ont., yesterday.’

'For survival’s sake, Bettman is banking on the new rules revolutionizing his sport, paralleling the NBA’s maneuver 25 years ago. But time will tell whether the long-term health of hockey has benefited or if the rules are merely temporary appetizers.'

'"I think we're sitting in a good position," Sabres center Daniel Briere said. "I don't think we have a team right now to win the Stanley Cup, to be honest with you, but we have a lot of room under the salary cap, and we can make some moves."'